Welcome to PMR & GCA Support
If you suffer from Polymyalgia Rheumatica and/or Giant Cell Arteritis (also known as Temporal Arteritis) or you know someone who does, then this site is here to help you.

Introduction
My name is Jean Miller and after 4.5 years of suffering from PMR & GCA and searching unsuccessfully on the web and elsewhere for help, support and information, I set up Tayside PMR and GCA Support in March 2006. Thanks to funding from the Big Lottery Fund under the Awards for All programme, we have been able to set up this website.

Shock
For many the first shock is to be told you have one or both of these conditions although it can be a relief to have a definite diagnosis. Despite the fact that PMR is one of the commonest inflammatory diseases affecting older people, most people have never heard of either PMR or GCA, and often hesitate to tell others of the condition. People are affected in various ways according to the severity of the illness and some feel very isolated.

The second shock is when you realise that you don’t get better “next week”. After over 6 years I still hope to be better “next week”! These conditions can be physically and psychologically devastating.

Difficulties
Some of us find it extremely difficult trying to explain to friends and family why we cannot function normally because of pain or unreasonable fatigue. We all look well which understandably makes it very difficult for others to comprehend. It is often difficult to plan ahead. It can be difficult to pace yourself so that you don’t do too much when you are feeling well and then end up in bed for a few days exhausted.

It is difficult facing up to the fact that you can’t do what you’ve been accustomed to doing in the time you used to take: for instance, taking 3 days to do 1 hour’s ironing. It is difficult accepting that you will be on long term medication for a long term medical condition. Coming together as a group helps us to cope with these aspects of our condition.

Purpose

The purpose of this website is to share and learn from others' experiences and to publicise sources of information and help.

Our Aims
By raising awareness of this much neglected group of sufferers we hope to give research some momentum and to increase the understanding of others and of other disciplines in the medical profession.

Support Groups in the UK
Support Groups provide hope as well as support and encouragement. There are 4 Support Groups in the UK:
1. Tayside PMR & GCA Support,
2. The East Anglia Support Group
3. Southend/Essex PMR/GCA Support Group
4. PMR Fighters.
Full details are on the Contacts page.

Contact Us
If you would like more information, please contact us at the email address listed below, or via the details on the Contacts page.